JHU Bridge Grants

As of early 2025, we have seen significant delays in some federal grant renewals and payments. JHU Bridge Grants will provide short-term support to sustain research programs that have been financially affected by these delays. These time-limited Bridge Grants will provide up to $100,000 for no longer than 12 months.  

Eligibility 

Department chair/vice deans of research may apply for University cost sharing of bridge funding for research programs for faculty across all ranks and divisions, provided that they were PI/MPI/Co-PI on at least one federal award that has experienced a major delay in receipt of sponsored funding (i.e., delay of a notice of renewal or non-competitive continuation, delay of payment after notice of award). Given limited availability of funds, pre-tenure faculty may be prioritized in the selection process. Awards are not intended to invest in new areas for research (see Pivot Grants).   

Applications must demonstrate limited alternative sources of funding and, except under unusual circumstances, have a plan to expend unrestricted discretionary funds first during the bridge period.  

Terms 

Departments/divisions can request Bridge Grants of up to $100,000 over one year (up to $50,000 from the University and $50,000 from matching funds). The award amount will be commensurate with maintaining research programs at an “essential” level and will be based on a review of the grant record and prospect of imminent funding. A single, non-renewable grant is anticipated. Funds are to be expended within 12 months.  Distributing funds to subaward recipients at other institutions is not permitted with Bridge funding.

Bridge Grants can be used to support research personnel (faculty, students, postdocs, staff) and materials and supplies, and travel. If federal awards and new funds are made available, Bridge Award funds must be returned/reimbursed according to the source of funds.  

Application 

Ready to apply? Please submit your application through InfoReady. 

Required materials include:

1. Application Form  

• First Name  
• Last Name  
• Email Address  
• JHED ID 
• Rank  
• Division 
• Department

2. Application (provided by PI) up to 2 pages (PDF attachment) including: 

• Description of the status of delayed award, including the likelihood and the expected timeline for receiving federal funds 
• Statement describing the impact of current funding delay 
• Description of alternative sources of funding explored to support current personnel/activities (e.g., other federal funding, philanthropy, faculty discretionary accounts) and other cost saving measures taken to mitigate the gap in funding 
• Explanation of how the applicant plans to use the bridge grant to pursue sources of external funding 

3. Current and Pending Support, including upcoming submissions or resubmissions (PDF attachment) 

4. Budget Justification – use template provided including 

• Cost-sharing Plan – how the school, division/department, or PI will contribute 50% of the award funds 
• Projected use of funds 

5. Faculty Biosketch or CV (PDF attachment) 

6. Letter of support from the vice dean for research or department chair (PDF attachment) 

Review 

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Pending the volume of applications, pre-tenure faculty may be prioritized in the selection process. Following submission by the divisions, applications will be reviewed within OVPR to ensure applications meet the following criteria:  

• Likelihood of receiving funding in the near future 
• Clear justification of needs and requested budget 
• Demonstration that all other funding sources have been deployed to cover the funding gap 
• Demonstration that the faculty member has taken steps to scale back operations to “essential” levels while retaining the necessary personnel to be ready for the next award.